I'm eight months and 110 pages in (I'm slow, but also a first-timer). Yesterday, I gave the majority of my novel a readthrough and saw that virtually all of my small, sharp paragraphs moved at a pretty rapid pace and were full of friendly (and not-so friendly) banter between characters in an attempt at levity, even during tense and emotional situations.

I guess it sounded better in his head.

Tbh based on the full post it didn't sound that bad (just generic), but in a later comment OP posted a plot summary.

My novel is about a young girl in France during World War 1 who sneaks into trenches to aid soldiers as a Combat Medic... and who happens to weld the mystical healing power of Jeanne d'Arc's guantlet. It's just that she can be quite snarky and also has a friend whom she has excellent rapport with.

Just a quippy magical girl protagonist in the trenches of WW1. Maybe it works in context?

someone [can adapt] it into the next marvel movie 😆

I second finishing it, editing can fix a lot.

I'm an edit-holic; three hours of editing for every one hour of writing lol. So for the most part my chapters are looking extremely close to what their final version will be, witty banter and all.

Frick, not the one draft guys again. Line by line polish does not replace the need for rewrites because you need to respond to structural problems. A one draft story, even with outline, is essentially a random walk and can lose track of tone, get bloated or distracted, just end up married to ideas that don't work, etc (this is all an issue in my fanfic submission btw ). Making every scene "good" does not mean you have a good manuscript.

Marvel movies have only made, what, twenty billion dollars? There's nothing bad about having a book with broad appeal.

The market's right behind me, isn't he?

We don't write in a vacuum, and not everyone studies the classics. Our voices, methods, and priorities are influenced by what is in the air.

My literary influences are Marvel movies, isekai anime, and Bluey.

nothing wrong with writing marvel stuff a lot of my work was mostly inspired from anime I watched a mix of steins gate and jojo but the story still nothing alike.

Is that a fricking Jojo ref-

As usual, the problems with /r/writing are structural rather than comment by comment (sounds familiar ). In this case, the issue isn't whether quips are always bad. Rather, it's whether they work in context and whether they're appropriate for the story and setting. OP's setting likely meshes poorly with a wacky tone (and nobody seriously asked OP why the story suddenly felt bad to them, instead reassuring them that it's okay).

OP also gave away that they are not actually planning to do rewrites. So as usual, they came to the soyhaven to ask for affirmation about what they were already going to do.

Edit: I forgot to make fun of them for "devistated"

https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/07/21/critics-are-getting-less-cruel-alas

Article

https://txtify.it/

https://archive.li/dGpHw

Link to bypass paywall

!bookworms, !neolibs

A harrowing novel set in an alternative United States —a world of injustice and bondage in which a young Black woman becomes the concubine of a powerful white government official

Solenne Bonet lives in Texas, where choice no longer exists. An algorithm determines a Black woman's occupation, spouse, and residence. She finds solace in penning the biography of Henriette, an ancestor who'd been an enslaved concubine to a wealthy planter in 1800s Louisiana. But history repeats itself when Solenne, lonely and naïve, finds herself entangled with Bastien Martin, a high-ranking government official.

Me and who?

Most of the reviews feel like my parents reading the stories I wrote when I was 15. "Wow... This is certainly unique! Um, 4 stars?"

I did get a chuckle out of this one tho:

What happens when you cross a terrible idea - an erotic novel about a slave in love with her master - with an okay idea - an dystopian novel about an alternative United States where a second Civil War reversed emancipation? I guess you get the blueprint for The Blueprint, which is not good, but has potential to be even worse.

If Ms. Rashad wanted to write a more straightforward erotic novel, it would probably be pretty good, there are some genuine sensuous passages in "The Blueprint." If Ms. Rashad gets a little better at world-building, she has the imagination to author some compelling science fiction, her ideas are good but underdeveloped. But it seems like she considers herself too good for genre fiction, she wants to be the adopted daughter of Toni Morrison and Margaret Atwood right now. And the result of such impatient ambition is phrases like "the room was washed in truth" and "I saw all the girls I was from fifteen to twenty." I'm guessing that wouldn't be quite so awkward in a romance novel, but in "The Blueprint," the romance is supposed to be a symbol of oppression, so I don't quite know why it's also a coming-of-age novel. It left me confused. Confusion is not always bad, but combined with incuriosity, it makes for an unsatisfying experience.

!bookworms !writecel

King came out with his new book Holly a few days ago and I just finished it. What it's about isn't important; what struck me while reading it is how badly being a lib on Twitter has infected King's brain. The following are just some of the Trump mentions in the book:

“That sounds right,” Holly says.

“And bonus! Trump's gone.”

Leaving behind a country at war with itself , Holly thinks. And who's to say he won't reappear in 2024? She thinks of Arnie's promise from The Terminator: “I'll be back.”

It was Charlotte who died.

An avid Trump supporter—a fact she trumpeted to her daughter at every opportunity—she refused to get the vaccinations or even to wear a mask. (Except, that was, at Kroger and her local bank branch, where they were required. The one Charlotte kept for those occasions was a bright red, with MAGA stamped on it.)

On July 4th, Charlotte attended an anti-mask rally in the state capital, waving a sign reading MY BODY MY CHOICE (a sentiment that did not keep her from being adamantly anti-abortion). On July 7th, she lost her sense of smell and gained a cough. On the 10th, she was admitted to Mercy Hospital, nine short blocks from Rolling Hills Elder Care, where her brother was doing fine… physically, at least. On the 15th, she was placed on a ventilator.

“Divorced. Herbert and I dissolved our partnership three years ago. Political differences were part of it—he was all in on Trump—but there wereplenty of other reasons, as well.”

“How did Bonnie feel about that?”

“Handled it in very adult fashion. And why not? She was an adult. Twenty-one. Besides, the first time Herbie came home wearing a MAGA hat, she actually laughed at him. He was… mmm… displeased.”

Here is another relationship chilled by the fast-talking man in the red tie. It's not fate and not coincidence.

The jagged laugh comes again—nerves rather than amusement. “He's in Alaska. Left for a white-collar job in a shipping plant about six months after the divorce. And he has Covid. His idol refused to wear a mask, so Herb refused to wear one. You know, Trumper see, Trumper do.

“I don't know exactly. I've been working at that Jet Mart a long time. Seen em come and seen em go. But Trump was running for president, I remember that because we joked about it. Seems like the joke was on us.” He pauses, perhaps thinking over what he just said. “But if you voted for him, I'm only kidding.”

Like fun you were, Holly thinks. “I voted for Clinton. You called him the bowling guy?”

There is also a hilarious bit where King let's you know a character is evil because they find the Jan 6th insurrection inspiring, and another character is good because they cried during it:

Bonnie needs to see her as the stereotypical elderly academic: head in the clouds, losing a few miles an hour off her mental fastball, and largely helpless outside her own field of expertise. And harmless, of course. Would never dream of insurrectionists hanging elected representatives of the United States government from lampposts. Especially the blacks (a word which in her mind she will never capitalize) and the fannyfrickers. Of which there are more every day.

She's cried so much lately. Tears of relief after Biden won the election. Tears of horror and belated reaction after Chet Ondowsky, a monster pretending to be human, went down the elevator shaft. She cried during and after the Capitol riot—those were tears of rage.

You will never be a real reader

First i want to apologize if a make gramar errors, i am not a native english speaker. I'm an college student and i want to beging to have a writing routine to gain experience as a amateur writer (my dream is to publish my own fantasy novel). Because college and work i don't have much time, so i ask you "is 100 words minimum a good amount to have like a daily routine? It is low?" Every answer is welcome. Thank you.

Sometimes I wonder if every word goal post is just the same guy trolling, seeing how low you can go before they finally call you out.

Sure. Especially if you're trying to build a consistency habit. Some days 100 words will feel like bending over to pick up a feather and sometimes it will feel like pushing a boulder up a hill. Everyone's journey is different and every day is different.

I always wondered what George R R Martin was doing these days

It's better than 0. Keep up the good work my friend!

There are 130 comments, most variants of this, from all the other writoids who don't actually write anything.

The most effective days of writing, you often type zero words. I tend to write in my head a ton, then type it all, then write in my head a ton and repeat. Progress is progress is progress.

Heh. Write it out? Not necessary. I calculated the story in my head. Hmm... Another draft, perhaps?

Some of the most effective days involve removing 100 words.

So true!

My manuscript is -47,000 words and shrinking every day.

Fantasy writer (and college professor) here... I'll say this. Any amount of writing daily is good to establish a routine and to simply practice, but on average, fantasy novels run at about 170,000 words (varies depending on subgenre, but this is average in most cases) so it might take you forever if you're sticking to 100 words a day

Agents love getting 170k word debut fantasy manuscripts. That's like the bare minimum these days!

It's great!

Any consistent writing is greater than anything else. It won't get you go published fast, but it's waaaaay faster than "waiting until I have the time" writing. Also some people's 100 words are better than others 1,000 words.

And by "some people's" I mean mine.

it is a great amount per day! i do even less if i am being honest, so you are doing great. (your english is very good by the way)

Keep it up and you'll be 1% done with your novel in no time!

People here will say any writing is a good amount of writing. I'll be honest, one hundred a day is not very good. It's basically your post twice. It takes no effort.

What the frick? What are you doing in here? Guards!

This post contains 149 original words, not counting Marseys and file names. Soooo, that's my writing goal for today. Later, virgins!

Edit: Some Reddit threads:

https://old.reddit.com/r/rpdrcringe/comments/1b6v2jm/you_can_buy_mien_kampf_on_rupauls_new_bookstore/?sort=controversial

https://old.reddit.com/r/rupaulsdragrace/comments/1b7gz9n/bunnys_correct_take_on_rus_bookstore_selling/?sort=controversial

https://old.reddit.com/r/RPDRDRAMA/comments/1b6wrbj/so_many_options_at_rus_new_bookstore/?sort=controversial

This sounds dumb, but is true: As a kid, I grew up with a lot of violence. Men, in my family, school, but also on the street, were either utterly angry or utterly indifferent at all time. [...]

Due to this, I didn't really socialize with guys till I was an adult. And while I do know some "opposite examples" now, this shit is still bleeding in my writing. Like, I've been writing a script with around 5 main male characters. In general I treated them like every other character: Character, motivations etc. However, now a Beta-Reader informed me that they all sound needlessly aggressive. Like: Rude, cold and/or indifferent. Very strong in contrast to the female characters, who are very "normal", including empathy, kindness and "often sounding like the last wall between a full out massacre sometimes".

Now, obviously I don't want that. I live for four-dimensional characters. But looking through my other stories, I can def see a pattern: Men (if not the LI) are often villains. There are grumpy old men, shitty fathers, sociopathic Mafia bosses etc. "Positive" examples, are mostly just variations of 1.) My cousin (very nice, extroverted guy) and 2.) character-types I picked from other stories (e.g. "old man who is too invested in his grandson's love life")

Any advice? Cause at this rate, I'll paint a very, very bad picture and I hate it

"How can I make myself not hate men? I know! I'll talk to some Redditors!"

>Writing wish fulfillment romance scenarios while hating the opposite s*x

🤝

The thing that comes to my mind is to consume more stories with male characters that display the traits that you're looking to emulate in your own writing. [...] I can offer some movie recs: Before I Disappear (2014), Submarine (2010), and Stand By Me (1986) all explore I would say a more tender side of masculinity

Ever notice how their go to examples are never books?

OP:

Good point. I did get a lot of LI material from romance books. So maybe I can do the same that way. I'll the check out the suggestions!

No, don't do that. I love a good bodice ripper, they're my guilty pleasure, but you are not going to get an example of loving, normal men from them. They are always portrayed as a slightly aggressive "Alpha Male" type who gets extremely possessive of his love interest and has problems expressing feelings

You will NOT have a man who protects you. You WILL comfort your boyfriend when he comes home crying after work.

I have to offer a word of caution, here. Romance books give people a distorted ideas of a relationship the same way porn gives people distorted ideas of s*x. They're idealized or sensationalized because it's better for the person consuming the product, not because it's realistic or healthy.

Women be reading romance. That's basically the same as me edging in my goon cave for four hours every night.

If you wanted to, you could write the men as "normal" people, too. As people first, men second.

Novice writers when you explain to them that the opposite s*x are people

I try. That's the problem. I try, but in the end, there's something that just bleeds through. However, tbf, maybe this does speak of a deeper issue. Like, maybe I know logically that men are people (duh), but emotionally, there's still a part who does not believe it...? Idk.

Trust your instincts, sister

Some therapy wouldn't hurt. It's reflective of your experience, and not dealing with your past to a healthy degree is warping your ability to see men as anything other than what you experienced.

I am on the hunt for that, don't worry. I've had some therapy for 5 years, but I was just newly diagnosed with CPTSD last year. So rn I'm in this "in-between" of switching therapies.

Five years of therapy didn't work? Better give it another five years.

For the sake of providing advice I don't see here, you could try writing a character as a girl then just changing them to be a guy. It's unconventional, but it might help you eliminate your bias. Alternatively, make really mousey nerdy overly polite type guys who avoid aggression. We exist, lol.

Is this... the ick?

I'm not crazy, i promise, but you're going to think I am. If you're willing to go out on a limb, though, i think it'll help.

Now, people have said therapy and that's not a bad idea. It does sound like the unresolved trauma is causing problems, but we're not doctors so that's about as far as we can suggest with that.

What you should do is, like someone else suggested, find and consume media with more positive male figures.

Watch Bluey. I'm not kidding. It's about a little girl who is a dog and her dog family and Bandit is a good girl-dad. He's portrayed as a normal dad, in that he gets frustrated but he tries not to lose his cool.

I'm not kidding. It'll help.

I AM NOT CRAZY!

Without actually reading her work I can't evaluate it or try to psychoanalyze her.

What I can tell you is that Redditors are the last people you should ask about masculinity. Redditors are hardcore feminists to the exact extent that they believe feminism strips them of masculine responsibility. Once we get rid of toxic masculinity, women will finally throw themselves at timid scrawny nerds who cry once a week... Right?

It seems to me like the obvious advice is to portray male aggression honestly, while showing the neutral or positive ways it can be channeled. The Redditors instead are telling her to feminize her male characters, watch children's cartoons, and get (another five years of) therapy, sweaty.

got ready to catch up on a few years of nosleep, sorted by top, literally none of these are scary, nor are they even well written. i stopped reading them in probably 2016-2017 when all the hottest stories started boiling down to "bigotry was the real monster all along" "big bad evil guy does a heckin wholesome" or just weird, impotent revenge fantasies you can tell are written about the author's bully

the top post of the last few years is https://old.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/wqnymn?sort=controversial which is just a stupid shallow reddit bait about a cheater but even sillier than usual main character's wife when her husband gets drunk and chips part of his brain out in front of her

are there any the past few years that don't suck butt? i used to stay up all night scared shitless over these, the bar is low, i can't believe nosleep has somehow gotten so bad they can't even scare me

From Dante to Tolstoy to Dan Brown, it seems like self inserts are and old technique with very different results depending of the author.

What are your favorite and most hated self inserts books or characters?

Pretty sure if you gave me a year I could write Shakespeare quality work.

Like if someone hadn't read all of Shakespeare and you randomly gave them me or him, on average they couldn't tell the difference.

Of course without the blind test people would pretend it wasn't as good.

— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) October 9, 2023

https://twitter.com/RichardHanania/status/1710735038621602211#m

This idea actually started with SBF going statistics shows us Shakespeare wasn't that good

https://twitter.com/RichardHanania/status/1711209801785761877#m

I have never heard of this guy before but he seems very dramatic. He holds (held?) actual academic positions but then was cancelled for some allegedly white supremacist stuff he wrote when he was young and now he has a book about wokeness coming out, I guess he thinks that's more worthy of his time than writing something greater than Hamlet.

One soy milk please, shaken not stirred

Taken from "On His Majesty's Secret Service"

For the writers in here, what's the most embarrassing thing you've ever written?

I'll go first:

Back when I was a braindead teenager, I postponed my senior capstone for an entire semester.

I originally started designing a whole table top game. This would have included box art, a resource book with illustrations, tables, the whole 9 yards.

But I was laughed at by 3 fat they/thems when I presented that idea.

So I wrote an awful novella about lesbians going to prom in the last 2 weeks of the project. I admittedly hamed it up for extra points by padding out the plot with needless identity politics. But I got a B+ and multiple classmates said it was the best thing they'd ever read because it spoke to them as

OP posts a longpost but it basically says "you should read books if you want to write".

Post is fairly new, but 9/10 of top-level comments are YOU DONT NEED TO READ TO WRITE WHAT IF SOMEONE CANT AFFORD BOOKS

Not summarising

BREAKING NEWS: Cormac McCarthy, a preeminent voice in American literature over the better part of the past half-century, died today at his home in Santa Fe, N.M., his publisher, Knopf, confirmed. He was 89. Full obit to follow.

— Publishers Weekly (@PublishersWkly) June 13, 2023